$250,000 bail set for Kearny man shot in hand by Jersey City police officer

Byron Smith/ Journal photoJoshua Lopez, who is being charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault against a police office, and eluding police is arraigned via video link at Central Judicial Processing court in Jersey City on Wednesday, February 18, 2009.

Joshua Lopez -- a 20-year-old Kearny man a Jersey City police officer shot in the hand on Saturday after he allegedly drove his car at the officer -- made his first court appearance this morning.

Bail for Lopez, who is being held at the Hudson County Jail in Kearny, was set at $250,000 cash or bond at Central Judicial Processing Court in Jersey City.

Lopez's attorney, John Lynch of Union City, called the shooting by the officer "highly questionable."

Lopez appeared via a video link with the jail.

The shooting happened at 2:25 a.m. at Linden Avenue East near Route 169, an area known for drag racing, authorities said.

Police Officer Ernest Vidal, of the South District, and his partner had pulled in front of a Chevy Cobalt driven by Lopez of East Midland Avenue in Kearny because the car was illegally parked, officials said. Two other unidentified passengers were also in the car, authorities said.

As Vidal approached the Cobalt on foot, Lopez backed up, pulled out and drove at the uniformed officer, trapping the officer against the marked police cruiser, officials said.

The officer then fired four bullets, one of the bullets piercing Lopez in the hand and the others hitting the Chevy, officials said.

The wounded driver sped away and wound up in Trinitas Hospital in Elizabeth, officials said.

But Lopez was later located by Jersey City police, who charged him with attempted murder, aggravated assault against a police officer and eluding police, officials said.